Groundbreaking for chapel

Wednesday

Aug 28, 2013 at 11:25 AM

Ground broken for Mabel Bassett chapel.

SNS

Mabel Bassett Correctional Center, McLoud, officially broken ground ground recently for a new Chapel. The 5,000 square feet chapel has been designed to provide a large worship center, class rooms, library and Chaplain's office.

The auditorium incorporates a vaulted ceiling, raised stage and built-in baptistry and it will be able to accommodate over 250 participants.

This will be the fifth chapel constructed in Oklahom Correctional Centers. All the chapels are built from donated materials, volunteer labor and monetary gifts. The Chapel's budget is estimated at $500,000. At the present $165,000 has been raised.

Virginia Brendle, co-chair of the campaign to raise funds, said “As a volunteer at Mabel Bassett for 13 years, I know first hand the desperate need for the chapel. This will provide a place for religious, educational and character based progams that are vital for the offenders to change the course of their lives and become successful law abiding citizens.”

She pointed out “the state of Oklahoma incarcerates more women than any other state, in fact we are nearly double the national average. At the present, the population at Mabel Bassett is 1148 women. This is indeed an opportunity for our community to invest in the lives of these women. and to change these statistics.”

For more informationContact Brendle, Co-Chairman Prison Chapel, Inc. 212 E. Main Street, Shawnee, phone 273-6620 or 275-6537. This is a 501(c) (3) Charity.